Citrus-Brined Applewood Smoked Chicken Thighs
Citrus-Brined Applewood Smoked Chicken Thighs deliver tender, juicy meat with a balanced sweetness from brown sugar and a gentle rosemary-garlic aroma. The applewood smoke adds a mellow depth that complements the peppery finish. Serve for a relaxed weekend dinner or backyard gathering when you want richly seasoned chicken with a clean, bright edge.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook2 hrs 5 mins
- Serves8
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Citrus-Brined Applewood Smoked Chicken Thighs, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactPoor
- 39 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 11 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 93 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 44
- Heart Health
- 37
- Metabolic
- 49
- Digestive
- 31
- Inflammatory
- 27
- Performance
- 44
- General Wellness
- 1
Whisk water, brown sugar, 1 cup kosher salt, black peppercorns, garlic cloves, and bay leaves in a large saucepan until the sugar and salt dissolve. Set over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- 2
Carefully pour the brine into a large heat-proof container and stir in the rosemary sprigs and lemon slices. Refrigerate until fully chilled, about 2 hours.
- 3
Add the chicken thighs to the chilled brine. Place a small plate on top of the chicken thighs to keep them submerged, then cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate the chicken thighs in the brine for at least 6 hours, or up to 24 hours.
- 4
Fully open the bottom vent of the grill. Light a charcoal chimney starter filled with briquettes. When the briquettes are coated with gray ash, pour them onto the bottom grate and push them to one side of the grill. Place 3 to 4 applewood chunks on the hot coals. Oil the top grate and set it on the grill. Cover and insert an instant-read thermometer through a vent in the lid; hold the temperature between 225 and 250 degrees F (107 and 120 degrees C) for 15 to 20 minutes.
- 5
Remove the chicken thighs from the brine and pat them dry with paper towels, removing as much surface moisture as possible. Sprinkle evenly with black pepper and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt.
- 6
Set the chicken thighs on the preheated grill, skin-side up, over the side without coals. Cover and smoke until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.
- 7
Move the chicken thighs to a large plate or platter and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Calories 258.65 kcal Moderate 13%
- Protein 4.82 g Low Source 10%
- Carbohydrate 49.15 g 18%
- Total Fat 4.57 g Moderate 6%
- Saturated Fat 1.36 g Moderate 7%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 24.09 mg Moderate 8%
- Sodium 510.24 mg High 22%
- Dietary Fiber 7.37 g Good Source 26%
- Total Sugars 32.57 g --
- Added Sugars 7.44 g Moderate 15%
- Calcium 131.09 mg Moderate 10%
- Iron 1.22 mg Low Source 7%
- Potassium 235.01 mg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin A 41.72 mcg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin C 18.75 mg Good Source 21%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Garlic 🧄
About This Recipe
Citrus Brined Applewood Smoked Chicken Thighs is made with 10 ingredients and serves 8. It takes about 2 hrs 25 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Black Peppercorns, Brown Sugar, and Chicken Thigh. Each serving provides about 258.65 kcal, and is a good source of fiber.
Recipe Questions
- What is Citrus-Brined Applewood Smoked Chicken Thighs made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Black Peppercorns, Brown Sugar, Chicken Thigh, Dried Bay Leaves. The full list of 10 is above.
- How long does it take to make Citrus-Brined Applewood Smoked Chicken Thighs?
- About 2 hrs 25 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 2 hrs 5 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 258.65 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Citrus-Brined Applewood Smoked Chicken Thighs easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 10 ingredients and 7 steps.
- Is Citrus-Brined Applewood Smoked Chicken Thighs healthy?
- Citrus-Brined Applewood Smoked Chicken Thighs has an easyChef Pro health score of 43/100. Per serving, it provides 258.65 calories and 4.82 g of protein, or 10% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 510.24 mg (22% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 1.36 g (7% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 7.44 g (15% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus and Garlic, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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